Slam success and ranking rise – how British tennis will thrive in 2024

Andy Murray has been the benchmark for British tennis success for almost twenty years.

By hanging up his racket, the former world number one has ensured that others have received a greater share of the attention.

As the country's top players prepare for the new season, BBC Sport reflects on Britain's 2024 success stories – and you can pick the player who impressed you most.

The Slam semi-finalist takes over Murray's role

This year was a coming of age for that Jack Draper.

His US Open semi-final attracted the attention of a wider audience, but that breakthrough had been months in coming.

In June, the 23-year-old southpaw won his first ATP Tour title in Stuttgart and became the new British men's number one.

That led to a career-best major performance in New York, breaking into the world top 20 and winning his biggest career title in Vienna.

Become better physically equipped to handle the rigors of the ATP Tour was the key to his success, although he is still working to resolve the issues that led to illness on the field.

“I feel like I've changed a lot as a person in the last six months,” Draper said.

“I hope that as time goes on, I can manage these things better and become the player I want to be.”

The top 25 players fly under the radar

The legendary Billie Jean King recently said people should “pay more attention” to Britain's number one woman Katie Boulter.

Boulter expressed her gratitude at being recognized by one of the sport's icons, adding that she was happy to “fly under the radar”.

Remarkably, the 28-year-old can still do that, despite breaking into the top 25 in the world and winning two WTA titles – including the biggest of her career until now.

What's keeping her from getting more attention is her lack of a deep run at a major. Another factor may be interest in Emma Raducanu's comeback.

“I know I can get where I want,” said Boulter, who failed to reach the third round of a Grand Slam tournament in 2024.

“I'm not going to give you numbers to tell you what my goals are for next year, but I'm aiming high.”

The winner of Wimbledon leads the way in the doubles

Eight years ago Hendrik Patten worked at Wimbledon as an IBM data collector on the outdoor courts.

Now the 28-year-old is SW19 men's doubles champion.

It was a stunning rise for a player who started the year well outside the top 100 and had little ATP Tour pedigree.

He then joined the Finn Harri Heliovaara. They claimed the title in Marrakech in their first tournament together, before triumphing in Lyon and Stockholm either side of Wimbledon.

“It has been a year of firsts and I am proud that we have been able to achieve many things,” said Patten, who made his Davis Cup debut in September.

The ranking climbers

Few outside British tennis circles would have heard of this Jacob Fearnley or Sonay Kartal before this year.

Just over a year ago, 23-year-old Fearnley was knocked out of the professional game. He finished the season as a top 100 player.

Winning four ATP Challenger titles led to the fifth biggest climb in the men's classification since 2000.

Kartal's rise was also sharp.

The 23-year-old started the year outside the top 250 and feared she would miss the rest of the season due to illness.

After several hospital visits, Kartal was given the green light to return in April. Now number 85 in the world celebrating the best year of her career after winning a first WTA title.

Like Fearnley, the reward is direct participation in a Grand Slam main draw for the first time at the upcoming Australian Open.

The 30-time Grand Slam champion

Even with a wealth of success behind him, Alfie Hewett felt the pressure as he strove to finally clinch the Wimbledon wheelchair men's singles title and complete a Grand Slam career.

Hewett overcame the 'heavy weight' on his shoulders to beat Spaniard Martin de la Puenta and partner Gordon Reid for another doubles victory on the 'best day' of his life.

With one career ambition ticked, the 26-year-old fulfilled another by winning Paralympic gold with Reid in Paris.

“To sit here with the two things we focused on at the beginning of the year is something I'm very proud of,” Hewett said. told BBC Look East.

“I'm not sure what the next chapter is. I'll definitely continue playing, but I just want to enjoy it.”

The juniors offer hope for the future

The task for British tennis is to develop and nurture the next generation of talent wait another 35 years for a Grand Slam singles champion.

The performances of the British juniors this year – in singles, doubles and team events – have created optimism.

Mika Stojsavljevic, who turned 16 last week, won the US Open girls' singles title, while 17-year-old Mimi Xu and 18-year-old Charlie Robertson reached the last four in New York.

Henry Searle, 18, who won the Wimbledon boys' singles in 2023, and 15-year-old Hannah Klugman, winner of the prestigious Orange Bowl junior championships last year, have continued to make progress.

“Success in junior tennis is certainly a strong indication of long-term potential, but it is of course no guarantee,” said Iain Bates, head of women's tennis at the LTA.

“Seeing younger players reach the back end of junior Slams is a sign of the health of the trail.”